SHOULD they be given the opportunity to serve, members of Grupo Progreso (GP) said it would be their mission to build, strengthen, and enhance Bacolod City’s economic fundamentals, infrastructure, social services, human resources, and public governance.
At a press conference on Monday, April 4, at the Bacolod Business Inn, the group, led by Bacolod City Representative and mayoralty bet Evelio Leonardia, signed a pledge of commitment to fulfill their platform.
They vowed to accomplish various projects and programs for the betterment of the city.
Leonardia envisioned Bacolod to be the most competitive and most livable city in the country, where business and industry flourish in an atmosphere of peace and fair competition, and where government serves its people responsibly and with transparency.
The group’s three-point agenda is to restore business confidence and create a favorable economic climate for business and trade, install a highly-capable and professionalized government bureaucracy that would restore good governance to the city, and improve the delivery of basic services.
Moreover, among the group’s objectives is to put Bacolod in the forefront again as one of the most competitive cities of the Philippines, create a business development center, work closely with Negros Island Region and the Negros Occidental Provincial Government for economic cooperation, and to be ready to seize opportunities offered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Integration.
Vice Mayor and congressional bet Greg Gasataya, as well as Councilor and vice mayoralty candidate El Cid Familiaran, joined Leonardia at the press conference.
Completing the GP slate were the 12 members for the City Council led by incumbent Councilors Em Ang and Caesar Distrito, former Vice Mayor Renato Novero, former councilors Elmer Sy, Al Espino, Ricardo Tan, Dindo Ramos, Cindy Rojas, Israel Salanga, Marlon Solidum, George Zulueta, and Bart Orola. (Glazyl Y. Masculino)